The ingredients for a great European weekend break are simple. You need a city-centre that you can easily get around, some decent restaurants, nice bars, affordable accommodation and interesting attractions.

Lyon offers all these and more. Not only is it France’s culinary capital, it’s also one of their most delightful small cities. Here’s what makes it so special:

1. Gourmet heaven

Lyon easily ranks as one of the top foodie destinations in Europe. It has more than two thousand restaurants to choose from. Its distinguished culinary history goes back to the 19th century, so visiting traditional bouchons for dishes such as andouillette (a course-grained pork sausage) and tarte aux pralines is not to be missed. You can easily spend several hours wandering the Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse, Lyon’s indoor market, stopping for a break at one of the market bars for a slice of locally cured charcuterie and a glass of Beaujolais.

2.The perfect size for a weekend

Lyon is a delight to wander. Between the ancient alleys of Vieux Lyon and the grander streets of the Presqu’île, perhaps with forays into the appealingly gritty district of Croix-Rousse, is where you’ll likely spend most of your time. With an abundance of cafe terraces to tempt you en route, you’re unlikely to walk for more than half an hour between a coffee or the citron.

There’s even more to discover further afield, with lots of creative cuisine in the restaurants of the modern quarter, the vineyards of the northern Rhône and the charming village of Pérouges.

3. Some of France’s best museums

One of the stand-out attractions of Lyon is the Musée des Confluences, one of the top new tourist attractions in the world. It’s devoted to science and anthropology.

The city also holds an excellent Musée des Beaux-Arts, with works from the likes of Rubens and Rembrandt. You’ll also find exhibitions by big contemporary artists such as Yoko Ono and Andy Warhol in the Renzo Piano-designed Musée d’Art Contemporain (MAC). Lastly, don’t miss the Institut Lumière, which celebrates the birth of cinematography.

4. Excellent places to stay

Looking for a stylish Airbnb pad? Maybe a boutique hotel? Or perhaps you’re on a tight budget and just want a hostel? No problem, you’ll find that Lyon will cater for your needs.

At Mama Shelter, you can find contemporary design at good prices. For a spot of luxury, go for a night at the Fourvière Hôtel, a converted convent. Alternatively, save your cash for something else and stay at one of the beautiful campsites just outside the centre.

If you fancy something quirky, you could go self-catering with a barge on the Saône or cosy up in a lavish four-poster at the nearby Château de Bagnols.

5. A cool coffee and bar scene

In Lyon, you’re on the doorstep of some of France’s great vineyards. Unsurprisingly, it’s easy to find a great glass of wine. Natural wine bar Chateauneuf du Peuple is one of the coolest spots to drink, with a range of unusual bottles from boutique producers. Then there’s coffee at one of the hip new cafes such as Mokxa and Le Tigre and later on, you might fancy a cocktail from the award-winning range at L’Antiquaire, an American-style speakeasy with a French twist.

6. It’s ridiculously easy to get to

Thanks to budget flight connections across the continent (including EasyJet), a direct Eurostar link to London and two-hour TGV line to Paris, Lyon is easy to reach from many major cities in Europe.

This means you’ll spend less of your weekend travelling and more time sightseeing.

7. It’s surprisingly affordable

If you plan carefully, it can be surprisingly affordable to visit Lyon. If you can wait until the first week of September, you can pick up a return flight from Gatwick for around £80. Hotel prices are generally much kinder than in the capital and France’s larger cities, and you’ll find plenty of things to do for free.

Lyon is UNESCO-listed, which means it has notable cultural and architectural attractions, with the Basilique Notre-Dame, Roman amphitheatres and ancient traboules (secret passages once used by silk manufacturers) just a few of the fascinating sights that are free to explore.

Refreshment-wise, you’ll need to skip the city’s 18 Michelin-starred restaurants, but pick up some bread, pate and a bottle of wine from the market and head to the riverbanks for a perfect sunny-day picnic!

Title Image Credit: Fred PO (Image Cropped)